Sidney Roorda

Sidney Roorda, passed away in his sleep peacefully on November 24th, 2024, at the age of ninety-one. Sidney (or Sid, as he liked to be called) was born in Franklin, New Jersey to Richard Roorda and Emma (Visser) Roorda on November 19, 1933. He is survived by his daughter Dawn Elizabeth Croft (and her husband Paul, their three children, and one great grandchild) of Bradenton, Florida and his son, Daniel Lee Roorda of Jersey City, New Jersey, his sister Agnes Culver of Port Jervis, New York, his brother John (and his wife Edwina) of Essex Junction, Vermont, his brother Fred (and his wife Lora) of Standish, Maine, and his sisters Sylvia and Arlene (Joyce) both of Middletown, New York and numerous nieces and nephews. His loving wife of over 25 years, Charlotte Dahlen Roorda, preceded him in death (passing in 2019). He is survived by her children, Dean E. Dahlen (and his wife Maryann, and their daughter) and Kerry D. Griscti (and her two daughters). He is also survived by the mother of his children, Mildred (Joy) Slater Snyder of Hackettstown, New Jersey.

He attended Otisville Union Free School, and completed correspondence courses of study of Television, Radio, and Electronics with Deforest Training School, Chicago, Illinois. He also attended SUNY Orange County Community College, New York from 1958 to 1960 and County College of Morris, New Jersey from 1977 to 1979.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and attended the U.S. Naval School of Electronics. During his enlistment in the U.S. Navy, he served on the USS Mellette APA 156 and the USS Olmsted APA during the Korean War. Career experiences included civilian manufacturing of military defense products at Lewyt Corporation, New York, NY and Whele and Startup Television in Middletown, NY and then a lengthy career at Picatinny Arsenal, Combat Center for the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center in Dover, New Jersey. His excellent record included many awards, and travel to numerous test and engineering sites during his U.S. Army Research, Development, and Army procurement career.

Sid was active in church, civic, and environmental activities throughout his life. While living in Hackettstown, New Jersey he was a Charter Member of the Lions Club, elected as Club President for two terms, was actively involved in the NJ Lions Sight Conservation and Aid to the Visually Impaired, served as NJ Lions Hospitality Chairman, and District 15 Zone Chairman. He also served as State Chairman and President of the Lydia Hayes Foundation for the Blind in Rockaway, New Jersey. Upon retiring to North Carolina, he was the Finance Chairman of the United Methodist Church in Ranger, North Carolina and later was a two term President of the Tanglewood Forest Homeowners Association in Murphy, North Carolina. He also served on several church committees at the Morganton United Methodist Church in Morganton, North Carolina and volunteered with other organizations that provided food and shelter for those in need. 

In addition, Sid had a life-long love of travel, nature, photography (which included winning a few national contests), exercise (specifically, running), and very much enjoyed the great outdoors. He also loved working on cars and restoring his beloved 1965 Volvo P1800. Upon their retirement, Sid and Charlotte moved to North Carolina and continued to travel the world. They also spent many winters enjoying warm weather and friends in Bradenton, Florida. 

Sid was not one to take the beaten path. At the age of seventy-five, he completed an adventurous hiking journey of 2,176 miles of the Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine, a trek completed by parts over a period of six years. His wife Charlotte manned Harvey (their mauve motorhome) and was Sid’s support team while he fulfilled this multi-year goal of hiking the trail in its entirety.

In early 2019, Sidney moved to Bradenton, Florida to be closer to family. 

Memorial service arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:  Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425